Low-Phase-Noise Oscillator Assignment: mm-Wave 5G VCO Design in 45nm RFE Technology

Programme:

MEngSc Electronic and ComputerProject

Title:

Low-Phase-Noise Oscillator for the mm-Wave 5G Mobile Network

Project No..: 25- 12

Project Description:

Driven by the ever-growing demand for broadband mobile data traffic, various mm-wave bands ranging from 28 GHz to 80 GHz are evaluated for 5G cellular networks to deliver wireless backhaul connectivity over 10 Gb/s. Oscillators are one of the most critical building blocks among the circuits in a 5G mm-wave system. A low-phase-noise oscillator is needed to support the high-data-rate communications [1], [2], [3].

This project aims to design a low-phase-noise oscillator in the 45nm RFE technology, from theoretical analysis to layout implementation. The project will involve:

• Literature review: reviewing the state-of-the-art papers.
• Theoretical analysis: theoretically analysing the operation of oscillators.
• Circuit design: designing an oscillator in the 45nm RFE technology.
• Performance optimisation: proposing novel solutions with advantages.

Project Targets:

• Frequency range: 26-32GHz.
• Phase noise at 1-MHz offset: < -104 dBc/Hz
• FoM at 1-MHz offset: > 180 dB

Project Outcomes (What You Can Learn from This Project):

• mm-Wave RFIC analysis and design.
• Electromagnetic (EM) simulation and modelling.
• State-of-the-art oscillator topologies for the mm-wave 5G mobile network.

Software/Hardware Needed:

• Cadence Virtuoso.

References:

1. B. Razavi, RF Microelectronics. Prentice Hall, 2011.
2. B. Razavi, “The Design of a Millimeter-Wave VCO [The Analog Mind],” IEEE Solid-State Circuits Mag., vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 6-12, 2022.
3. A. A. Abidi and D. Murphy, “How to Design a Differential CMOS LC Oscillator,” IEEE Open J. Solid-State Circuits Soc., vol. 5, pp. 45-59, 2025.